Merck, A7687-25MG, Aloe-emodin

General description
Aloe-emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone found naturally in aloe plants.
Application
Aloe-emodin has been used as a standard in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for separation and identification of phenolic compounds in Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe).
Biochem/physiol Actions
Laxative/cathartic compound; increases the contraction of intestinal smooth muscle by releasing endogenous acetylcholine. Anti-tumor activity is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that, in turn, reduces the mitochondrial transmembrane electrical potential, thus inducing a permeability transition that sets in motion a series of events culminating in cellular apoptosis. Genotoxicity and mutagenicity appear to be due to the inhibition of topoisomerase II activity by aloe emodin.
Aloe-emodin exhibits antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects.